Abstract: The column is devoted to a significant turn in axiology typical for our epoch. Special attention is paid at the meaning of life as a regulatory conception. The author outlines different approaches to studying the meaning of life and provides classification of different meaning life orientations. The author also analyzes values typical for our time.

Keywords: pedagogy, psychology, history, values, axiology, culture, social studies, orientations, standards, meaning of life.

Abstract: The article is devoted to the modern problems in education and interpretation of social and cultural meaning, purposes and goals of the Russian philosophy and pedagogy at the end of XIX — beginning of XX centuries.

Keywords: pedagogy, philosophy, education culture, national traditions, perception of the world, modernization, upbringing, personality, creative work.

Abstract: Despite tons of scientific literature the question about origin of creativity still remains topical and so does the question about the connection between creativity and deviation from the norm. Jean-Paul Sartre used to say that genius is not a gift but a way out of desperate situations. This is where the tragedy of life and creative work by great people arise from. It is also necessary to draw parallels between creativity and spiritual sufferings. So what is the connection between life and creative work of a writer and a gifted person in general?

Keywords: pedagogy, philosophy, genius, unconsciousness, talent, creativity, surrealism, spontaneity, norm, Dadaism.

Abstract: The author of the article studies the theory of political myths and the concept of freedom in Ernst Cassirer’s (1874-1945) philosophy. Cassirer believed that only symbolic culture could help to reveal the true nature of human and his ability not only to create the greatest cultural monuments but also to construct political myths. Ernst Cassirer’s work‘The Myth of the State’ contains his thoughts on dangers awaiting human culture. Cassirer assumed that it was not enough just to describe and analyze the ‘normal’ functioning, success and achievements of culture. To his opinion, it is also very important to explain cultural ‘gaps’ and ‘failures’ as well as ‘dark periods’ in human history.

Keywords: pedagogy, myth, symbol, freedom, politics, state institution, fascism, totalitarianism, culture, human.

Abstract: The present article is devoted to the role of the institute of education in a modern society that can be described as the ‘knowledge society’. The authors of the article study the history of development of the terms ‘information society’ and ‘knowledge society, demonstrate the difference between the terms ‘information’ and ‘knowledge’ and show how the institute of education is transformed due to the formation of a new type of society. Based on the analysis of the UNESCO documents related to the concept of knowledge society, the authors study the main innovative elements of the institute of education such as ‘continuous education’, ‘e-learning’ and the concept of how to ‘learn to study’. The authors also suggest to view the role of philosophy for children as a method of development of cognitive abilities, flexible thinking and an efficient dialogue when discussing other points of view. It is shown that such classes for children can actually have a positive impact on one’s learning abilities and continuous education throughout life while the modern system of education prepares narrowly focused specialists who are often unable to learn something new during their carrier. At the end of the article the authors carry out a critical analysis of the above mentioned problems in modern Russian education, most of all, in high schools, including those caused by the formation of new type of educational institution — research university.

Keywords: pedagogy, education, higher school, knowledge society, information society, intellectualization, informatization, philosophy for children, critical thinking, knowledge.

Abstract: The article analyzes the expert’s analytical report ‘Future of High School in Russia: Experts’ Opinion’ prepared by the Center of Strategic Researches of the Siberian Federal University. The report is devoted to the forecast of the second wave of Enlightenment that would turn the ‘knowledge-based pedagogy’ into ‘research and project based pedagogy’ as well as activity pedagogy. The author of the article analyzes the arguments provided by the report writers and shows that report conclusions seem quite dubious because even the nearest future is quite uncertain and sociality keeps changing all the time. Instead of forecasting, the author suggests to use methodological interpretation of the situation in modern civilization in general and education in particular. As a part of such interpretation, the author analyzes modern social megatendencies, leading type of sociality which is typical for modernity, Russia’s path and sociality and, finally, demands for education and pedagogy caused by the above mentioned trends.

Keywords: pedagogy, sociality, programs, ideals, content, crisis, prognosis, selfishness, identity, uncertainty.

Abstract: In his creative work Erich Fromm paid much attention at the problems of educational anthropology. In particular, he set a goal for philosophers to create a new Human who builds the society based on principles of humanism and freedom. To achieve the above mentioned goal, philosophers can use so called humanistic pedagogy which can humanize the personal, inner world of a person, his concepts of the Good and Evil as well as expand his ideals and make a person better and more self-sufficient which would certainly benefit both a person himself and other people as well.

Keywords: pedagogy, educational anthropology, human, society, up-bringing, education, activity, to be, to have, interest, concentration.

Abstract: Ragged schools were one of the famous achievements during Victorian epoch. Quintin Hogg was one of the school teachers. One of the goals at raged schools was to turn hopeless young savages into well-mannered young people who had elementary social skills, respected themselves and could leave the only world they had known — the world of crime and poverty. Working adults who for some reason had not realized their intellect potentials could attend evening classes at such universities like London Institute of Mechanics founded in 1823. If someone simply had no money to attend lectures, he could also use other ways to work on his self-education in London. In 1841 London Library was opened in Pall Mall. Later it was moved to St. James area where it has been located ever since then. London Library still remains a wonderful example of all the best during the Victorian age.

Keywords: pedagogy, ragged school, Quintin Hogg, European free school, Anglican schools, public schools, evening classes, Institute of Technical Sciences, system of prefects, London Library.

Abstract: The article is devoted to the description of traditional and modern cultures. Using the comparative philosophical and anthropological analysis, the author of the article defines axiological models, levels of consciousness, types of cogitation and cognitive attitudes typical for the human of traditional and modern cultures. In particular, human of the traditional culture has a hierarchical, standard, cyclic, conceptual and emotional cogitation, contemplative attitude dominating over activity, esthetic attitude towards the world and religious attitude in all forms of world perception. Human of the modern culture typically has an individual, flexible and mobile, linear cogitation and prevailing theoretical and pragmatic attitudes to the world round. Preservation of traditional culture is performed through consolidation around the meaning and innovation-based society is self-preserved through super-rationalization independent of all spheres of life activity. In post-traditional culture mythological and scientific knowledge prevails and at the same time different types of knowledge are quite independent from each other. Based on this analysis, the author describes the main parameters of a stable society: axiological and conceptual dominant and esthetic grounds of existence.

Keywords: pedagogy, philosophy, culture, dynamics, determinants, paradigm, tradition, post-modernism, analysis, progress, deconstruction.

Abstract: Topical review of the books published by the Kanon+ printing house includes the two books on historical matters. One of the books id devoted to the contents and theological version of history. In his book german theologian Rudolf Karl Bultmann describes theological interpretation of Christian eschatology. Works by famous researchers Iggers and Young studied modern historiography which exists under the conditions of globalization. Problems of historical thinking, life description and methodology are interpreted within the framework of globalization and modernization processes.

Keywords: pedagogy, history, globalization, modernization, eschatology, eternity, theology, tradition, westernization, historiography, knowledge, democracy.